Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 13:10, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
American Standard Version
By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom.
World English Bible version
Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10 Meaning & Commentary
By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 (ESV)
The word insolence is the Hebrew word “Zadon,” which refers to arrogance or pride. An insolent person can also refer to someone who is rude or disrespectful. The Bible tells us that insolence brings nothing but “strife.”
The word strife is the Hebrew word “matstsah,” – which refers to contention, a debate, or a quarrel. James 4: 1-2 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
In the book of James, we see references to people that are fighting to try and “obtain” something. These people even resort to murder in some instances! What is at the root of much of this arguing and fighting, though? We find part of the answer further along in Chapter 4: James 4: 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” The very reason that many people find themselves in a constant state of “fighting” is because of the pride in their hearts!
You see, a proud person will not take advice but rather fight and argue their point believing they are right! However, Proverbs 13:10 says that those who take advice have wisdom. Someone who takes advice already knows and acknowledges that they do not know everything – this is a mark of humility. Someone who does not claim to know it all and is humble is positioning themselves to receive Wisdom because they are learning from others, have a teachable heart, and are open-minded and humble to learning. A humble person is often a wise person as well! Humility is a great starting point to build toward a life of wisdom!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 13:10 to our lives?
If we recognize any form of pride in our life, it needs to go. The truth about pride is that it is our responsibility to deal with it – not God’s. The Bible tells us that we need to humble ourselves: James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Humility is in the heart – it starts between God and us alone, in our quiet time. We need to “wrestle” with God until the pride in our hearts is broken.
The outward working of humility may then involve other people, such as going to someone to ask for forgiveness or saying sorry to someone. However, no one can make us humble. Sometimes it takes circumstances to humble us, and even then – we can still choose to harden our hearts! However, it should not need to take circumstances to humble us – that is a “last resort.” We have the privilege of humbling ourselves every single day.
Then, we need to also set our hearts towards Wisdom. There are a few practical ways to do this. Of course, we can simply ask God for Wisdom, and The Bible assures us that He will answer us: James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Also, surrounding ourselves with Wise people and listening to their advice and taking it to heart is a sure way to grow in Wisdom: Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. The only thing that can limit us from receiving Wisdom from wise people around us is when we are full of pride and our hearts are shut!
The first step is humility, and the second is to seek Wisdom! When we follow these steps, God will answer us and deposit Wisdom into our lives!
Prayer
Mighty God, I thank You for the Wisdom in Your Word. I pray for a greater passion for the word of God in my life. I humble myself before You today, and I ask for Wisdom.
I also pray that you would bring Wise people into my life who can also help me grow in wisdom. I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
